San Pedro Junior College (SPJC) participated in the Association of Tertiary Level Institution of Belize (ATLIB) Northern Football Regionals on Sunday, March 1st. The tournament was held in the Corozal District and hosted by the Belize Adventist Junior College (BAJC). The tournament saw the participation of female and male teams from SPJC, BAJC, and Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College (CEMJC), and a male team from Saint John’s College Junior College (SJCJC). At the end of the tournament, the SPJC female team and CEMJC male team rose as champions.
The SPJC female team consisted of Lupita Acosta, Isolene Bailey, Emelie Cerpa, Shadene Franzua, Samantha Craft, Juanita Gibson, Maedie Ical, Jamyka Jones, Vivian Noralez, Kristy Perez, Jessica Pinelo, Daliny Quintana, Hermela Rodriguez, Diana Sanchez, Naema Sanchez, Shaniel Shoriano, Adelita Uk and Siomara Valdez. They were coached by Froylan Gilharry and Shelby Leiva. Arlon Salgado coached the SPJC male team, which consisted of Franklin Aranda, Albert Cassasola, Josue Cerritos, Misael Chan, Kyle Crimmins, Alfonso Cruz, Israel Duque, Michael Franco, Julius Gonzalez, Bernis Gutierrez, Erik Hernandez, Esvin Leiva, Luis Pinelo, Kleiner Ramirez, Alonzo Rivero, Aldair Sedacey, Jason Valladarez and Jose Villamil. The male matches took place at San Joaquin Village, while the females played at Carolina Village.
The female match saw BAJC losing to CEMJC in a 2-1 point game, then SPJC defeated BAJC in the second match with a phenomenal score of 6-0! In game three SPJC tied 1-1 with CEMJC. SPJC’s Samantha Craft scored four goals and was dubbed the top scorer of the Regional Competition. “Our girls played an excellent game and showed that they were the superior team in the field. All the girls played their hearts out and earned the right to be the regional champions. This is the first time SPJC takes a female football team and already [we] won regionals. History in the making for these girls,” said Gilharry.
Unfortunately the SPJC male team was not as lucky, as they lost all of their games. In the first match SPJC lost 2-0 against SJCJC. CEMJC defeated BAJC in the second game with 4-1 point match. In game three SPJC lost to CEMJC in a 3-0 point match. In game four SPJC lost against BAJC in a 3-0 point match. Game five saw BAJC losing to SJCJC in a 2-0 point match. In the last game of the day CEMJC defeated SPJC in a 2-1 point match, claiming the Northern Regional Championship. “SPJC played their best and at times were dominating the game, but mistakes at the defense and at the goal caused the goals. Most of our players are first year students and I am sure next year we will have players from the high school who were recently regional champions joining our junior college and could make a better team,” said Gilharry.
SPJC would like to take the opportunity to thank all their sponsors: Moncho’s Golf Cart Rentals, FC Aluminum, Social Security Board San Pedro Branch, Castillo’s Hardware Ltd., San Pedro Water Jets and all the individuals who filled out sponsor sheets.
The SPJC female team will travelling once again on Sunday, March 22nd to Corozal to compete at the ATLIB National Football Championship. Assistance is needed to cover travel, food and boarding expenses for the girls. Those wanting to donate may contact 226-4691.
